A PERIOD poverty group has raised concerns over the government’s plan to provide funding for schools to give girls free sanitary towels.

Blackburn with Darwen based Femcura, run by Jess and Danni Whitehead, has said the funding for free period products for towns like Blackburn is inadequate.

Jess said: “We work out that if the expected £20million is allocated then £11.76 is given to each of the 1.7 million pupils.

“This is not enough because the average girl uses 20 pads, which is two packs, and an average of £4, so that’s less than three months worth of pads for them.

“We are worried because this is not enough, and they need to allocate more money when they do decide to set out the funding.”

The Department of Education spokesman said: “No one should be held back from reaching their potential, which is why we are providing access to free period products in schools and colleges in England.

“While precise funding arrangements will be confirmed as part of the 2019 Spending Review, estimates have been made on an assumed level of take-up amongst students, drawing on the approach taken by the Scottish government.

“Given the large scale of the project, the earliest feasible date for national rollout is early 2020. In the meantime, schools have the discretion to make period products available if they identify this as a barrier to attendance.”

Femcura provide free sanitary towels to schools and women in the community in Blackburn and Darwen.

Some schools in the towns rely on Femcura for their products and may continue to do so.

Mrs Whitehead said: “Blackburn with Darwen has a really high period poverty rate.

“So, we are still going to every single school to make sure all girls have them.

“Most help always goes to cities but towns like ours need it too because there are girls missing school due to it.”